China’s discipline watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CDDI) of the Communist’s Party of China Central Committee, has launched a new feature on its website and smartphone app on Thursday, June 18. The new function allows whistle-blowers to upload photo and video evidence of officials caught enjoying luxuries.
The latest addition to the app, which looks similar to Weibo's input display, also allows its users to input a 500-character description and, at the same time, upload two pictures or a video file at once as evidence. The new app feature is also said to protect the identity of whistle-blowers.
Through the platform, the CDDI hopes to encourage Chinese citizens and app users to be vigilant and act as the commission's eyes and ears.
CDDI is on the lookout for officials who exhibit undesirable work styles, which the government describes as "formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance."
Activities deemed undesirable by the CDDI include the use of government vehicles for personal purposes; receiving or giving cash as gifts; purchasing extra and unnecessary office space; use of public funds as payment for extravagant meals, trips, as well as gym memberships and other forms of entertainment; grand weddings and funerals; and other related discipline violation.
The release of the app's new function is just in time for China's traditional Dragon Boat festival. According to the CDDI, government officials are more inclined to incur violations during the holidays.
CDDI's latest move against graft and corruption incited a largely positive response from Chinese netizens across the country. Users, however, also encouraged the commission to act on tip-offs more thoroughly.
Since the launch of China's nationwide anti-graft campaign, several top officials, including former security head Zhou Youngkang, have been indicted for numerous criminal charges.